Dallas officials say imprisoned man is innocent in killing

DALLAS — Dallas County prosecutors are seeking the exoneration of a 38-year-old man sentenced to life in prison in 2003 for the shooting death of a teenager who was celebrating his high school graduation.

Authorities said in a statement that prosecutors will ask a judge Wednesday to declare Quintin Lee Alonzo innocent in the 2001 death of Santos Gauna.

Officials say an “exhaustive investigation” has corroborated a confession given by Licho Escamilla, who was executed in 2015 for the shooting death of an off-duty Dallas police officer.

Authorities say Escamilla confessed to killing Gauna prior to his 2002 conviction in the officer’s death. They say Escamilla also confessed on at least two other occasions.

It’s not clear why it took so long for prosecutors to seek Alonzo’s exoneration. Additional information was scheduled to be released later Wednesday.